Archive for the 'intervertebral disk disease' Category

Ask the French Bulldog Veterinarian - Spinal Lesions in a Frenchie

admin August 12th, 2008

I had a Frenchie for 4 years, and she was healthy. Then last summer she started to wobble in the back legs, and slowly she lost her ability to walk over the next 9 months.  I took her to a specialist, got an MRI, but there was a lesion in her spine, and they couldn’t figure out what it was.  Also she had 7 generative discs.  It was a difficult experience, and ultimately after all kinds of treatment, like acupuncture, joint support powder, and finally a wheel chair,  I could no longer care for the dog properly, and had to give her to a rescue organization that is seeking a new family for her.

She had lots of UTI’s and I couldn’t get her out of my apartment building in time for her to do her business, because she lost sensation.  My wife and I are expecting a child and we both work.  I wanted the dog to be with someone who has easy access to a backyard and a little more time to attend to her special needs.   I feel a lot of guilt about giving her up, but I want her to get the best care.

I just wish I knew what caused her to go lame in the back legs at such a young age.  She is the best dog I have ever had, and seems otherwise happy, she just drags herself around. I would have paid whatever to cure her, but the vet said it was the lesion not her vertebrae that were causing the problem, and an operation would not have helped.

I am afraid to get another dog, because giving up the dog was so difficult for my family.

Is there anything to look for in a perspective dog to show warning signs of this kind of problem?

Missing my Frenchie

Dr. Lori writes –
It sounds like we know exactly why she became paralyzed and that is due to the spinal lesion.  It doesn’t say whether her vet believed it was inherited or from injury, but given she is a frenchie, it’s more than likely congenital and as she aged, the lesion in her spine worsened.   I am guessing here, as I don’t know the specifics, but my supposition is that she had a curve in her spine that caused the spinal cord to “kink”, thus causing the lesion and her clinical signs…

I am sorry that you went through such heartbreak.  There really are often no warning signs, until it is too late to fix it.  My suggestion to you would be to find a breeder who thoroughly health screens at an early age as well as adults…  it might not prevent an issue, but it might help you be more knowledgeable about what you are getting in to.

Again, I am sorry and I hope your girl finds a home that can care for her

Lori Hunt, DVM
French Bulldogs d’Assisi

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Ask the French Bulldog Veterinarian - Disk Disease, or just a sprain?

lorihuntdvm July 11th, 2008

I just came from the vet hospital today after Frankee, my female French Bull Dog suddenly seemed different after her playtime in the park yesterday with her brother Bubba. She plays quite hard all the time with Bubba and loves her ball but I felt maybe she might have strained her back running down the hill after her ball. I got quite scared today when she couldn’t jump on the chair today or jump up on my leg to say hi…..After having a consult with this vet doctor who persisted that I see a neurological doctor and then told me she could go paralyzed if I didn’t have her checked …he become a bit much when he stressed it more than four times in the 15 min consult…I tried to also reason the fact that she did play hard and could have easily strained herself chasing the ball down the hill…but he was quick to assume this was the problem.

Quite surprised at his hasty presumptions and guilt trip…I asked him to prescribe a pain med to see if that would help ..he prescribed tramadol…I then spoke to my good friend who has many years of Bullie experience. She calmed me down to also tell me that Frankee could have easily just strained herself when she slipped rolling down the hill running after her ball…..also she did say that Frenchies commonly do have back problems….Anne mentioned getting steroids for Frankee to relieve the inflamation…do you think I should just get her on steroids as opposed to the meds…
I want to do the right thing here….please advise.

Dr. Lori writes -

Hi there. I don’t think your vet was being an alarmist. Quite often frenchies can have back issues that very quickly result in paralysis, and you don’t have much time to change the course of events. So his being adamant was with good intention.

If she is walking well and not limping and seems comfortable, then the pain meds may be enough. Steroids can be helpful in resolving inflammation of any kind, but can also delay healing, so if you are not sure what is causing the issue, it is best not to run and grab the steroids.

I would advise watching her VERY closely and any change in activity or comfort level should prompt an immediate return visit to your vet.

Good Luck.

Lori Hunt, DVM
French Bulldogs d’Assisi


Editor’s note: We’ve  had a sad follow up from Frankee’s owner:

I appreciate you forwarding this but I had to put my Frankee down …on Tuesday …she had too much nerve damage including her bowels. I could not see her suffering like that or coming back wearing diapers etc.

Our deepest condolences on Frankee’s passing.

Here are some helpful links to additional reading on intervertebral disk disease -

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Ask the French Bulldog Veterinarian - Frenchie pup with hemis?

admin July 2nd, 2008

Hello. I’m considering purchasing a 5 month old Frenchie boy from a very reputable breeder.

He was just xrayed and he has 2 hemis. The vet says it is no problem and he has no signs of problems.

Should I be concerned? Thank you.

Dr. Lori writes -

No, 2 hemis does not concern me at all. In fact in my book, that is an excellent frenchie spine! The OFA study of frenchie spines shows little evidence to support that hemis have anything to do with the back problems that frenchies can experience, i.e. Intervertebral disk disease.

A better question might be to ask if any familt members have had any back problems.

Good Luck with your puppy and how nice that you have found a breeder who will X-ray pups before they leave!

Lori Hunt, DVM

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